Title 26 — Internal Revenue CodeRelease 119-73
§4958 Taxes on excess benefit transactions
Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle D— - Miscellaneous Excise Taxes › Chapter CHAPTER 42— - PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS; AND CERTAIN OTHER TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS › Subchapter Subchapter D— - Failure by Certain Charitable Organizations To Meet Certain Qualification Requirements › § 4958
Summary
Imposes taxes when a tax-exempt group gives a person more economic benefit than the person gives back. The person who got too much (a “disqualified person”) must pay a tax equal to 25% of the extra amount. Any officer, director, or trustee (an “organization manager”) who knowingly took part in the deal must pay 10% of the extra amount, unless they did not willfully join in and had a reasonable excuse. If the extra payment is not fixed during the “taxable period,” the disqualified person must pay an additional tax equal to 200% of the extra amount. If more than one person is responsible, they can all be held liable. The manager tax for any one transaction cannot be more than $20,000. Key words are defined simply. “Excess benefit transaction” means the group gave an economic benefit to a disqualified person that was worth more than the value received back. “Excess benefit” is that extra amount. A “disqualified person” is someone who had substantial influence over the group in the past 5 years, their family members, 35-percent controlled entities, and certain persons tied to donor-advised funds or sponsoring organizations. An “organization manager” is an officer, director, trustee, or similar leader. A “35-percent controlled entity” is a company, partnership, or trust owned more than 35% by those people. A “substantial contributor” is someone who gave over $5,000 and more than 2% of the group’s total contributions in the year received. The “taxable period” runs from the transaction date until a notice of deficiency is mailed or the tax is assessed. To “correct” an excess benefit means undoing the extra benefit and restoring the group to the financial position it would have had if the person had acted under the highest fiduciary standards; amounts repaid from donor-advised funds generally cannot be left in donor-advised funds.
Full Legal Text
Title 26, §4958
Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)(1)There is hereby imposed on each excess benefit transaction a tax equal to 25 percent of the excess benefit. The tax imposed by this paragraph shall be paid by any disqualified person referred to in subsection (f)(1) with respect to such transaction.
(2)In any case in which a tax is imposed by paragraph (1), there is hereby imposed on the participation of any organization manager in the excess benefit transaction, knowing that it is such a transaction, a tax equal to 10 percent of the excess benefit, unless such participation is not willful and is due to reasonable cause. The tax imposed by this paragraph shall be paid by any organization manager who participated in the excess benefit transaction.
(b)In any case in which an initial tax is imposed by subsection (a)(1) on an excess benefit transaction and the excess benefit involved in such transaction is not corrected within the taxable period, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 200 percent of the excess benefit involved. The tax imposed by this subsection shall be paid by any disqualified person referred to in subsection (f)(1) with respect to such transaction.
(c)For purposes of this section—
(1)(A)The term “excess benefit transaction” means any transaction in which an economic benefit is provided by an applicable tax-exempt organization directly or indirectly to or for the use of any disqualified person if the value of the economic benefit provided exceeds the value of the consideration (including the performance of services) received for providing such benefit. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an economic benefit shall not be treated as consideration for the performance of services unless such organization clearly indicated its intent to so treat such benefit.
(B)The term “excess benefit” means the excess referred to in subparagraph (A).
(2)In the case of any donor advised fund (as defined in section 4966(d)(2))—
(A)the term “excess benefit transaction” includes any grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment from such fund to a person described in subsection (f)(7) with respect to such fund, and
(B)the term “excess benefit” includes, with respect to any transaction described in subparagraph (A), the amount of any such grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment.
(i)the term “excess benefit transaction” includes—
(I)any grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment provided by such organization to a person described in subparagraph (B), and
(II)any loan provided by such organization to a disqualified person (other than an organization described in subparagraph (C)(ii)), and
(ii)the term “excess benefit” includes, with respect to any transaction described in clause (i), the amount of any such grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment.
(B)A person is described in this subparagraph if such person is—
(i)a substantial contributor to such organization,
(ii)a member of the family (determined under section 4958(f)(4)) of an individual described in clause (i), or
(iii)a 35-percent controlled entity (as defined in section 4958(f)(3) by substituting “persons described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 4958(c)(3)(B)” for “persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)” in subparagraph (A)(i) thereof).
(C)For purposes of this paragraph—
(i)The term “substantial contributor” means any person who contributed or bequeathed an aggregate amount of more than $5,000 to the organization, if such amount is more than 2 percent of the total contributions and bequests received by the organization before the close of the taxable year of the organization in which the contribution or bequest is received by the organization from such person. In the case of a trust, such term also means the creator of the trust. Rules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 507(d)(2) shall apply for purposes of this subparagraph.
(ii)Such term shall not include—
(I)any organization described in paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 509(a), and
(II)any organization which is treated as described in such paragraph (2) by reason of the last sentence of section 509(a) and which is a supported organization (as defined in section 509(f)(3)) of the organization to which subparagraph (A) applies.
(4)To the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the term “excess benefit transaction” includes any transaction in which the amount of any economic benefit provided to or for the use of a disqualified person is determined in whole or in part by the revenues of 1 or more activities of the organization but only if such transaction results in inurement not permitted under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 501(c), as the case may be. In the case of any such transaction, the excess benefit shall be the amount of the inurement not so permitted.
(d)For purposes of this section—
(1)If more than 1 person is liable for any tax imposed by subsection (a) or subsection (b), all such persons shall be jointly and severally liable for such tax.
(2)With respect to any 1 excess benefit transaction, the maximum amount of the tax imposed by subsection (a)(2) shall not exceed $20,000.
(e)For purposes of this subchapter, the term “applicable tax-exempt organization” means—
(1)any organization which (without regard to any excess benefit) would be described in paragraph (3), (4), or (29) of section 501(c) and exempt from tax under section 501(a), and
(2)any organization which was described in paragraph (1) at any time during the 5-year period ending on the date of the transaction.
(f)For purposes of this section—
(1)The term “disqualified person” means, with respect to any transaction—
(A)any person who was, at any time during the 5-year period ending on the date of such transaction, in a position to exercise substantial influence over the affairs of the organization,
(B)a member of the family of an individual described in subparagraph (A),
(C)a 35-percent controlled entity,
(D)any person who is described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) with respect to an organization described in section 509(a)(3) and organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of the applicable tax-exempt organization,
(E)which involves a donor advised fund (as defined in section 4966(d)(2)), any person who is described in paragraph (7) with respect to such donor advised fund (as so defined), and
(F)which involves a sponsoring organization (as defined in section 4966(d)(1)), any person who is described in paragraph (8) with respect to such sponsoring organization (as so defined).
(2)The term “organization manager” means, with respect to any applicable tax-exempt organization, any officer, director, or trustee of such organization (or any individual having powers or responsibilities similar to those of officers, directors, or trustees of the organization).
(3)(A)The term “35-percent controlled entity” means—
(i)a corporation in which persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) own more than 35 percent of the total combined voting power,
(ii)a partnership in which such persons own more than 35 percent of the profits interest, and
(iii)a trust or estate in which such persons own more than 35 percent of the beneficial interest.
(B)Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4946(a) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.
(4)The members of an individual’s family shall be determined under section 4946(d); except that such members also shall include the brothers and sisters (whether by the whole or half blood) of the individual and their spouses.
(5)The term “taxable period” means, with respect to any excess benefit transaction, the period beginning with the date on which the transaction occurs and ending on the earliest of—
(A)the date of mailing a notice of deficiency under section 6212 with respect to the tax imposed by subsection (a)(1), or
(B)the date on which the tax imposed by subsection (a)(1) is assessed.
(6)The terms “correction” and “correct” mean, with respect to any excess benefit transaction, undoing the excess benefit to the extent possible, and taking any additional measures necessary to place the organization in a financial position not worse than that in which it would be if the disqualified person were dealing under the highest fiduciary standards, except that in the case of any correction of an excess benefit transaction described in subsection (c)(2), no amount repaid in a manner prescribed by the Secretary may be held in any donor advised fund.
(7)For purposes of paragraph (1)(E), a person is described in this paragraph if such person—
(A)is described in section 4966(d)(2)(A)(iii),
(B)is a member of the family of an individual described in subparagraph (A), or
(C)is a 35-percent controlled entity (as defined in paragraph (3) by substituting “persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (7)” for “persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)” in subparagraph (A)(i) thereof).
(8)For purposes of paragraph (1)(F)—
(A)A person is described in this paragraph if such person—
(i)is an investment advisor,
(ii)is a member of the family of an individual described in clause (i), or
(iii)is a 35-percent controlled entity (as defined in paragraph (3) by substituting “persons described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (8)(A)” for “persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)” in subparagraph (A)(i) thereof).
(B)For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “investment advisor” means, with respect to any sponsoring organization (as defined in section 4966(d)(1)), any person (other than an employee of such organization) compensated by such organization for managing the investment of, or providing investment advice with respect to, assets maintained in donor advised funds (as defined in section 4966(d)(2)) owned by such organization.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification section 1212(a)(3), 1232(a), (b), and 1242(a), (b) of Pub. L. 109–280, which directed the amendment of section 4958 without specifying the act to be amended, were executed to this section, which is section 4958 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.
Amendments
2018—Subsec. (f)(1)(D). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted comma for period at end. 2010—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111–148 substituted “paragraph (3), (4), or (29)” for “paragraph (3) or (4)”. 2007—Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i)(II). Pub. L. 110–172, § 3(i)(1), substituted “subparagraph (C)(ii)” for “paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 509(a)”. Subsec. (c)(3)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 110–172, § 3(i)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Such term shall not include any organization described in paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 509(a).” 2006—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(b)(1), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3). See Codification note above. Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1242(b), added par. (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4). See Codification note above. Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(b)(1), redesignated par. (2) as (3). See Codification note above. Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1242(b), redesignated par. (3) as (4). See Codification note above. Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1212(a)(3), substituted “$20,000” for “$10,000”. See Codification note above. Subsec. (f)(1)(D). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1242(a), added subpar. (D). Former subpar. (D) redesignated (E). See Codification note above. Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(a)(1), added subpar. (D). See Codification note above. Subsec. (f)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1242(a), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F). See Codification note above. Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(a)(1), added subpar. (E). See Codification note above. Subsec. (f)(1)(F). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1242(a), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F). See Codification note above. Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(b)(2), inserted “, except that in the case of any correction of an excess benefit transaction described in subsection (c)(2), no amount repaid in a manner prescribed by the Secretary may be held in any donor advised fund” after “standards”. See Codification note above. Subsec. (f)(7), (8). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1232(a)(2), added pars. (7) and (8). See Codification note above.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2007 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 110–172 effective as if included in the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109–280, to which such amendment relates, see section 3(j) of Pub. L. 110–172, set out as a note under section 170 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2006 AmendmentAmendment by section 1212(a)(3) of Pub. L. 109–280 applicable to taxable years beginning after Aug. 17, 2006, see section 1212(f) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 4941 of this title. Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1232(c), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1099, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to transactions occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 17, 2006].” Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1242(c), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1105, provided that: “(1) Subsection (a).—The
Amendments
made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to transactions occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 17, 2006]. “(2) Subsection (b).—The
Amendments
made by subsection (a) [probably should be “subsection (b)”, amending this section] shall apply to transactions occurring after July 25, 2006.”
Effective Date
Section applicable to excess benefit transactions occurring on or after Sept. 14, 1995, and not applicable to any benefit arising from a transaction pursuant to any written contract which was binding on Sept. 13, 1995, and at all times thereafter before such transaction occurred, see section 1311(d)(1), (2) of Pub. L. 104–168, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1996 Amendment note under section 4955 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
26 U.S.C. § 4958
Title 26 — Internal Revenue Code
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73